Floydtilla’s BSS certificate is due to expire at the end of April 2025, so it was time to book a test, we have added a few new bits and pieces to the boat in the past 4 years including our new solar panels – it is always a worry when you do the planning/install yourself.
As with the last test and survey we booked Tom Keeling from Small Craft Services to do this for us. Two days before the appointed day, I check with Tom that everything was going as planned, and we headed of the next day to the boat, to be ready for his visit.
Tom arrived very promptly at 9am, he first explanied the procedure and then we started at the stern looking in the engine bay, where he carefully explained what he was looking for, checking the fuel tank for rust and damage, the fuel lines, filters etc, before then checking the batteries and our new battery wiring and solar install (he noted the fuses etc) everything seemed OK, except the batteries could slide sideways in there mounting, We already had a ratchet strap over the top of the batteries, but within a few minutes we also had one install around the sides as well.
From the Engine bay we moved inside and checked the Fire Extinguishers, we have three mounted in the boat, and I have three extras for just encase (could not resist the Lidl special offers, they are two lower rating, but better to be safer?).
From what I remember of the discussion each extinguisher has a rating i.e. 8A/50B that you will find on the body label of the extinguisher, you need to add up the number of ‘A’ and the number of ‘B’, combined between you extinguishers they need to exceed 21A and 144B together, this is dependent on the length of the boat, at 61ft we need a minimum of 3 extinguishers in total.
Next we are on to the gas supply and the Gas locker was expected and the pipes inspected for the correct type, we only have a gas cooker connected to the supply and near the kitchen area is a test point to which Tom fitted his Manometer. after a few minutes all seemed to check out OK. Then Tom slid out the cooker to show me and to check the pipework was correct.
It is amazing how quickly and hour and a half went by, Tom is a mine of useful information and advice and I am sure I missed out lots of things he inspected along the way, but I now feel very confident we are safe onboard and also not a danger to others.
The cost of this inspection including VAT was £260 (which includes a £72 charge by the Boat Safety Scheme for the certificate.